Kava in generalized anxiety disorder: three placebo-controlled trials
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of kava kava (Piper methysticum) in generalized anxiety disorder. Data were analyzed from three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of kava, including one study with an active comparator (venlafaxine), in adult outpatients with DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder. The pooled sample (n=64) included the following number of participants: kava, n=28; placebo, n=30; and venlafaxine, n=6. Given the comparability of the study designs, the data comparing kava and placebo were then pooled for further efficacy and safety analyses. No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups in any of the trials. In the pooled analyses, no effects were found for kava, while a significant effect in favor of placebo was observed in participants with higher anxiety at baseline. No evidence of hepatotoxicity was found with kava, and all of the treatments were well tolerated. Findings from these three controlled trials do not support the use of kava in DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder.
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Subsequent trials in patients with GAD reported a greater decrease in anxiety scores with kava than with a placebo that already exerted a strong effect.
“Subsequent trials in patients with GAD also reported a greater decrease in anxiety scores with kava than with a placebo that already exerted a strong effect (Connor, Payne, & Davidson, 2006).”
From Novel pharmacological targets in drug development for the treatment of anxiety and anxiety-related disorders (2019) · cites this paper as Connor, Payne, & Davidson, 2006
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- Authors
- Connor, K. M., Payne, V., & Davidson, J. R. T.
- Affiliations
- Duke Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Connor, Kathryn M.
- Venue
- International Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Published
- 2006-09
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 249-253
- ISSN
- 0268-1315 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2004990154
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 10.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Clinical Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5k23at000583-03, 1r01at000150-01a1)
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R01-AT00150, K23-AT00583)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Keywords
- kava, generalized anxiety disorder, venlafaxine, hepatotoxicity, treatment efficacy, drug safety, placebo comparison
- MeSH terms
- Venlafaxine Hydrochloride, Anxiety Disorders, Cyclohexanols, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Phytotherapy, Middle Aged, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Kava, Plant Preparations
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